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NOLA Nights #3
The Lady of Royale Street
Alex DuMont is everything his brother Sol isn’t: regimented, serious, and devout. Between twelve-hour workdays, service to the church, punishing daily workouts, and bi-weekly therapy sessions, Alex is, as Sol once put it, “a kettle perpetually whistling as it boils itself to death.” So when Sol announces his marriage to Arianna Barrington, heiress and society sweetheart, Alex is the absolute worst choice to be his best man. Sol asks anyway and Alex reluctantly agrees. It’s only a week, after all, and Alex should be able to stop himself from throttling his big brother for a meager seven days. Probably. Maybe.
Theresa Ivarson is Arianna’s best friend and the maid of honor. A decorated photojournalist who interrupts her globetrotting to stand beside her friend, Theresa is beautiful, witty, and unafraid to speak her mind. So when she is faced with working with the best man from Hell, a Viking who doesn’t know how to smile, is bossy, and about as pleasant as a cactus, the sparks are bound to fly—and not in the good way. To make matters worse, Sol and Rain's wedding planner was hit by a bus the week before their special day, and Alex and Theresa find themselves at the center of a list-ditch effort to pull the wedding together. But when you can’t decide if you want to kiss or kill someone, something’s bound to break.
Theresa Ivarson is Arianna’s best friend and the maid of honor. A decorated photojournalist who interrupts her globetrotting to stand beside her friend, Theresa is beautiful, witty, and unafraid to speak her mind. So when she is faced with working with the best man from Hell, a Viking who doesn’t know how to smile, is bossy, and about as pleasant as a cactus, the sparks are bound to fly—and not in the good way. To make matters worse, Sol and Rain's wedding planner was hit by a bus the week before their special day, and Alex and Theresa find themselves at the center of a list-ditch effort to pull the wedding together. But when you can’t decide if you want to kiss or kill someone, something’s bound to break.
252 pages, ebook
First published August 21, 2017
5 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Thea de Salle
4 books42 followersThea de Salle is the pseudonym of a New York Times bestselling author spinning sweet, naughty, funny kissing stories with her best friend. Thea’s handlers live in South Shore Massachusetts with a small army of furry, short-legged creatures. Their collective interests are books, jewelry, makeup, travel, and oodles of inappropriate humor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 24, 2020
While this installment wasn't as big of a hit for me as the previous two, this series is my favorite and I am SO SAD that it is over and that I don't have any more Thea de Salle to read :c the biggest womp
August 17, 2017
I flipping love this series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's exciting to find a series that you enjoy reading time after time. Last year I was introduced to the author and I have reviewed and enjoyed three books in her Nola Nights series. The Lady of Royale Street is the third addition and as I said in the beginning, I flipping love this series, and this book!
I have to say the character development in this book came as somewhat of a surprise. I love Alex's character and to add a twist to the story, the author made him a religious man. So how to find a balance in a hot romance is a difficult task that the author took on. And she did it remarkably well.
I love when an author can find a beautiful connection between the characters. This author has done just that with Theresa. You go from hot and steamy to conflict and even anger between these two. The ride along the way is engrossing and super hot.
Easy to read and extremely well written all the way around, the mystery author, Thea de Salle, is becoming a wonderful go-to for sexy romance done right.
* copy received fore review consideration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's exciting to find a series that you enjoy reading time after time. Last year I was introduced to the author and I have reviewed and enjoyed three books in her Nola Nights series. The Lady of Royale Street is the third addition and as I said in the beginning, I flipping love this series, and this book!
I have to say the character development in this book came as somewhat of a surprise. I love Alex's character and to add a twist to the story, the author made him a religious man. So how to find a balance in a hot romance is a difficult task that the author took on. And she did it remarkably well.
I love when an author can find a beautiful connection between the characters. This author has done just that with Theresa. You go from hot and steamy to conflict and even anger between these two. The ride along the way is engrossing and super hot.
Easy to read and extremely well written all the way around, the mystery author, Thea de Salle, is becoming a wonderful go-to for sexy romance done right.
* copy received fore review consideration
August 29, 2017
The Lady of Royale Street is the third book in the Nola Nights series. It can be read as a standalone.
Alex DuMont finds himself in NOLA for his brother Sol's wedding. Sol is marrying Arianna
Barrigton in just one week. Arianna's family is well-known and the paparazzi are always lurking trying to find the next scoop into her life. Alex, as the best man will have to run interference. He will need to coordinate the last minute plans with Arianna's maid of honor, Theresa. But, when Alex mistakes Theresa, who's a photojournalist, for a paparazzi and destroys her expensive camera, the best-laid plans suffer a major hiccup.
Theresa Ivarson is happy her best friend Rain has found happiness and is getting married to the man she loves. Theresa is ready to help as much as she can. She wants to make the wedding an event to remember without the intrusion of the press. There is just one problem. She doesn't know if she wants to kiss or kill the best man.
I liked this book. It had an entertaining cast of characters although sometimes, some of them were a little too stereotypical for my taste. There's a big question of religion and sex between the main two characters which was something different in itself especially since it was Alex who had the reservations. I'm impressed in how the author dealt with this specific thematic. It's not an easy one to approach in a romance.
Cliffhanger: No
3/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Pocket Star via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
September 7, 2017
This was so freaking entertaining! I loved the tension between Alex and Theresa. Them coming together was a fun ride with a great build and a heck of a lot of heat.
This was a fast paced read that had a whole lot of outrageous scenarios, a great cast of characters, and it was super hot. Alex and Theresa's first meeting was pretty awkward, these two weren't off to a good start to say the least. I liked the animosity between them and the fun that created. As they get to know each other, the sexual tension ratchets up until it's off the charts. I love Alex fighting his feelings and the battle he was having. They both have some reasons for holding back that created some dilemmas for them but I loved the crazy ride of them coming together and working it out.
The writing was really good. There is a great pace and build happening. It's a light, witty read that was full of humor and low in the drama department with an awesome amount of heat and chemistry happening between Alex and Theresa. Lots of chaos and running around since their helping with a wedding but it's also sweet as we get to know the characters and see how wonderful and caring they are. I found them both to be really endearing. The story was so entertaining and had a lot of outlandish moments but this isn't my first rodeo with Thea de Salle so I knew what to expect. If anything, I felt it was tamer in the crazy department than the first two books (The King of Bourbon Street and The Queen of Dauphine Street) but it was just as enjoyable all the same.
I loved watching the characters figure out their issues while they were in the middle of crazy wedding antics and adventures. Extremely entertaining!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
This was a fast paced read that had a whole lot of outrageous scenarios, a great cast of characters, and it was super hot. Alex and Theresa's first meeting was pretty awkward, these two weren't off to a good start to say the least. I liked the animosity between them and the fun that created. As they get to know each other, the sexual tension ratchets up until it's off the charts. I love Alex fighting his feelings and the battle he was having. They both have some reasons for holding back that created some dilemmas for them but I loved the crazy ride of them coming together and working it out.
The writing was really good. There is a great pace and build happening. It's a light, witty read that was full of humor and low in the drama department with an awesome amount of heat and chemistry happening between Alex and Theresa. Lots of chaos and running around since their helping with a wedding but it's also sweet as we get to know the characters and see how wonderful and caring they are. I found them both to be really endearing. The story was so entertaining and had a lot of outlandish moments but this isn't my first rodeo with Thea de Salle so I knew what to expect. If anything, I felt it was tamer in the crazy department than the first two books (The King of Bourbon Street and The Queen of Dauphine Street) but it was just as enjoyable all the same.
I loved watching the characters figure out their issues while they were in the middle of crazy wedding antics and adventures. Extremely entertaining!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
August 12, 2017
I received an arc of this book from the author in exchange of an honest review
Full review originally posted on my blog: Word Wonders
Finishing this book is so bitter sweet *cries*, I’ve been so invested in this series and these characters for the last month and reaching this last book -at least for a while- has made me very happy but very very sad as well. Don’t get me wrong, the events are happy but I just want to read about Sol & Rain (The King of Bourbon Street), Maddy& Darren (The Queen of Dauphine Street), Alex & Theresa (this book), Nash and Cylan and ALL the characters forever and ever, I’m not even kidding, it’s been less than a month since I finished this one and I’m already in withdrawal.
Anyway, I’ll stop rambling because this review needs to be somewhat coherent and informative. I talked enough about the writing in my two previous reviews so just know that those thoughts apply to this one as well. One thing I want to add is that how different every book is from the previous while still being similar. Since every one of them deals with different themes in parallel with the romances, those influence how the story is shaped, the amount and kind of sex on page also varies from book to book and this is the one thar has the least sex out of the three.
The only thing that bugged me about the writing here is the use of some ableist phrases such as “running around like a lunatic” and “theresa was neurotic about the dress” which aren’t great and can be avoided in most -if not all- cases, including this one.
What I really appreciated here is the main theme of the romance which is the internal conflict both characters (but mostly Alex) had between faith and desire/sex. Both MCs are practicing christians and we rarely see that dynamic explored in romance books, if there’s any religious part of the characters’ identity it gets glossed over and forgotten all together which wasn’t the case here and that was refreshing.
Alex is one of the most annoyingly frustrating characters I’ve ever read about but I couldn’t help but love him. He’s so clumsy with his words and around people, so he comes off as wery grumpy and impulsive, he says things before thinking them through and that makes him such a mess that’s bad with people, especially people he doesn’t know. He disrespects a retail person once but Theresa doesn’t let him live it down. That being said, when he actually unwinds a little bit, he’s the sweetest, most caring cutie ever. I honestly just ant to protect him forever.
I loved Theresa from the get-go, she’s chaotic in the best of ways and in contrast with that she’s able to calm Alex and sooth him. She’s bossy and doesn’t let him get away with things when he messes up, she’s not afraid to call him out when he’s being an ass and isn’t afraid to voice her opinion in general. She’s also spontaneous and loves teasing him which makes for funny situations very often. Aside from that she has trust issues she has a hard time getting past and I appreciated reading about her working through that because same, girl.
The relationship starts with hate to love or at least dislike to love because Alex breaks Theresa’s camera and manhandles her when he thinks she’s a paparazzi coming for juicy details of Rain and Sol’s wedding and it’s a rollercoaster from there, they finally come together just to start fighting again in the next scene and that happens through a big chunk of the book. I’m not gonna lie, I lived for the tension and build-up those situations created. Their chemistry is quite obvious from the start and their banter is just so fun because of the whole cat and mouse situation.
I loved Rain and Theresa’s friendship, it’s just so strong and solid and it shows. Aside from the main story, everything that was happening with Sol and Rain’s wedding made me so emotional (and the wedding prep is a big chunk of the book). It’s just good to see old characters and new come together and see them all interact with each other as well as get updates on where the others are at in life.
Full review originally posted on my blog: Word Wonders
Finishing this book is so bitter sweet *cries*, I’ve been so invested in this series and these characters for the last month and reaching this last book -at least for a while- has made me very happy but very very sad as well. Don’t get me wrong, the events are happy but I just want to read about Sol & Rain (The King of Bourbon Street), Maddy& Darren (The Queen of Dauphine Street), Alex & Theresa (this book), Nash and Cylan and ALL the characters forever and ever, I’m not even kidding, it’s been less than a month since I finished this one and I’m already in withdrawal.
Anyway, I’ll stop rambling because this review needs to be somewhat coherent and informative. I talked enough about the writing in my two previous reviews so just know that those thoughts apply to this one as well. One thing I want to add is that how different every book is from the previous while still being similar. Since every one of them deals with different themes in parallel with the romances, those influence how the story is shaped, the amount and kind of sex on page also varies from book to book and this is the one thar has the least sex out of the three.
The only thing that bugged me about the writing here is the use of some ableist phrases such as “running around like a lunatic” and “theresa was neurotic about the dress” which aren’t great and can be avoided in most -if not all- cases, including this one.
What I really appreciated here is the main theme of the romance which is the internal conflict both characters (but mostly Alex) had between faith and desire/sex. Both MCs are practicing christians and we rarely see that dynamic explored in romance books, if there’s any religious part of the characters’ identity it gets glossed over and forgotten all together which wasn’t the case here and that was refreshing.
Alex is one of the most annoyingly frustrating characters I’ve ever read about but I couldn’t help but love him. He’s so clumsy with his words and around people, so he comes off as wery grumpy and impulsive, he says things before thinking them through and that makes him such a mess that’s bad with people, especially people he doesn’t know. He disrespects a retail person once but Theresa doesn’t let him live it down. That being said, when he actually unwinds a little bit, he’s the sweetest, most caring cutie ever. I honestly just ant to protect him forever.
I loved Theresa from the get-go, she’s chaotic in the best of ways and in contrast with that she’s able to calm Alex and sooth him. She’s bossy and doesn’t let him get away with things when he messes up, she’s not afraid to call him out when he’s being an ass and isn’t afraid to voice her opinion in general. She’s also spontaneous and loves teasing him which makes for funny situations very often. Aside from that she has trust issues she has a hard time getting past and I appreciated reading about her working through that because same, girl.
The relationship starts with hate to love or at least dislike to love because Alex breaks Theresa’s camera and manhandles her when he thinks she’s a paparazzi coming for juicy details of Rain and Sol’s wedding and it’s a rollercoaster from there, they finally come together just to start fighting again in the next scene and that happens through a big chunk of the book. I’m not gonna lie, I lived for the tension and build-up those situations created. Their chemistry is quite obvious from the start and their banter is just so fun because of the whole cat and mouse situation.
I loved Rain and Theresa’s friendship, it’s just so strong and solid and it shows. Aside from the main story, everything that was happening with Sol and Rain’s wedding made me so emotional (and the wedding prep is a big chunk of the book). It’s just good to see old characters and new come together and see them all interact with each other as well as get updates on where the others are at in life.
August 11, 2017
The Lady of Royale Street is an adorable and quick read following the previous two novels in the NOLA Nights series by Thea de Salle. It centers around Sol and Rain’s impending wedding day and the mishaps that keep occurring beforehand. Alex, Sol’s reluctant best man and brother, must work together with Theresa, Rain’s snarky maid of honor, in order to get things running smoothly before the big day, if only they could get along for more than five minutes.
This story was so adorable from the moment Alex and Theresa ran into each other and started off on the wrong foot. Their snappy banter made me smile and I loved how their relationship developed as they grew closer together while they worked on the last minute details of the wedding that was slowly falling apart. I also really enjoyed reading about was how religious they both were. Their Catholicism was prevalent throughout the entire novel and set them on a different course than the other sets of characters in this series who make frequent appearances in this novel. It offered a new perspective that really interested me because their religion shaped who they were as characters and how their relationship blossomed as the book progressed.
All in all, this wasn’t my favorite book in the NOLA Nights series, probably because it was centered around a wedding, something I’m not the biggest fan of reading about, but it was still an enjoyable NA* read. It is full of witty banter, wedding preparations, appearances of characters from the previous novels in the series, and and steamy moments that will grip your attention to the very end.
SEE MORE REVIEWS HERE: https://storiesforcoffee.wordpress.com
This story was so adorable from the moment Alex and Theresa ran into each other and started off on the wrong foot. Their snappy banter made me smile and I loved how their relationship developed as they grew closer together while they worked on the last minute details of the wedding that was slowly falling apart. I also really enjoyed reading about was how religious they both were. Their Catholicism was prevalent throughout the entire novel and set them on a different course than the other sets of characters in this series who make frequent appearances in this novel. It offered a new perspective that really interested me because their religion shaped who they were as characters and how their relationship blossomed as the book progressed.
All in all, this wasn’t my favorite book in the NOLA Nights series, probably because it was centered around a wedding, something I’m not the biggest fan of reading about, but it was still an enjoyable NA* read. It is full of witty banter, wedding preparations, appearances of characters from the previous novels in the series, and and steamy moments that will grip your attention to the very end.
SEE MORE REVIEWS HERE: https://storiesforcoffee.wordpress.com
July 24, 2017
THESE BOOKS OH MY LORD.
July 7, 2017
You know, just when you think you can predict how this is about to go down, Thea de Salle throws you a curveball. A fun one, too. Detailed review to come.
September 20, 2017
I reviewed this book at The Book Queen's site. I reviewed it as the same time as Tessa Bailey's TOO HARD TO FORGET, talking about the Catholicism of the heroes.
http://www.tbqsbookpalace.com/2017/08...
Last month during the #RomBookLove bonanza, one of Jennifer Porter’s topics asked for suggestions about something they’d like to see in romance. One of the most interesting answers was Tamsen Parker saying she wanted more “people of faith” in romance, and not just inspies. A follow-up tweet from Jennifer Porter sparked some further conversation about this idea. I thought, “Nah” and moved on. And then, lo and behold, two of my autobuy authors released books with very Catholic heroes. What we will do for our favorite writers!
A Brief Overview of the Books
The first book is The Lady of Royale Street by Thea De Salle. I loved The King of Bourbon Street and was excited to read this third book in the series, featuring Sol’s brother and Rain’s best friend. Alex and Theresa meet in the week leading up to Sol and Rain’s wedding. The plot of this one was a little contrived. The paparazzi is mobbing the wedding venues, and Alex and Theresa are sent out on a variety of errands to help prepare for the big day. Given how filthy rich those families are, I never for a second believed that the Best Man and Maid of Honor (My BFF and I prefer the term “Best Woman.” Feel free to adopt for your own usage, please.) would be hustling all over Louisiana completing such menial tasks. Alex and Theresa are attracted to each other and spend a lot of time trapped in a car that’s too small for them, and the sexual tension is thick. Their affair is sizzling, but Alex’s rigid Catholicism is an impediment to their happiness.
The other was Too Hard to Forget by Tessa Bailey. In this story, when Peggy Clarkson was a senior in college, she had a hot, heavy, and secret affair with the head football coach. It’s three years later, and Peggy blows back into town, determined to show Elliott that she’s moved on. I’ve previously established that I don’t like the “second chance at love” trope, but Tessa Bailey could write a closed-door, secret baby romance about a virgin and a billionaire tycoon in a small town and I’d fucking read it. (You may take a moment to giggle about the idea of Tessa Bailey writing a closed door romance, though.) Once again, the hero’s rigid religious beliefs cause difficulties for the couple.
The HEAs
I was raised Catholic, so I’m pretty familiar with the Church’s ideas about sex before marriage. But at the same time, it’s sort of...weird...because I think of romance as THE sex-positive genre, and reading about Alex and Elliott’s shame and regret made me both uncomfortable and angry. These are grown men well into their 30s, not teenagers fumbling around with sexual desire for the first time. For me, it’s pretty simple if you have pants feelings: act on them if the interest is mutual, have fun, use a condom, and wash up afterwards! Things are not that simple for Alex and Elliott. I know that even though fiction isn’t true, there is truth in fiction. Good books should show me the warring desires and internal struggles of characters, even if they’re things I wouldn’t feel conflicted about. And, regardless of my personal feelings, both books are a believable portrayal of characters trying to balance the demands of their Catholic faith with romantic relationships.
Of the two heroines, Peggy is far more damaged by Elliott’s guilt and self-disgust. Maybe it’s spoilery, but there is this completely devastating line late in the book where she confronts him and says, “You made me into a sin.” I gasped out loud when I read it, because it was that raw and painful. It’s not just that they have sinned, it’s that SHE is the sin. It ravaged me. It’s taken years for Peggy to understand that Elliott transferred the weight of all his shame to her and she’s still carrying it around. Only after this confrontation does Elliott understand and atone for his behavior. Which, you know, is a pretty neat narrative trick and kind of how the whole sinning thing is supposed to work out for Catholics: you sin, you confess, you do your penance, and then you’re forgiven.
In The Lady of Royale Street, the conflict plays out differently. Theresa is also Catholic, but she doesn’t have Alex’s hang-ups about sex. In fact, she’s royally (Royale-y?!) pissed at him when he tries to bring his guilty feelings to their bed. She’s just not there for it, pushing back on Alex’s shame and recrimination. I loved Thea De Salle for making Theresa a woman of faith who doesn’t have a zero sum belief system. I could not have taken another book where the heroine bears the brunt of the faith-based emotional damage. Alex talks to quite a few folks about his confused feelings---some help him, others don’t. Ultimately, Alex has to decide how to balance dogma with his desire to win Theresa’s love.
I can’t help but end on a personal note. I left the Catholic Church because I think it’s oppressively patriarchal. And because of my history and who I am, these books were hard for me to read. Elliott and Alex were compelled to follow the rules of their faith, even if it meant personal unhappiness. There were lots of times I didn’t like them very much, and it was impossible for me not to read these books as damning examples of how that patriarchal thinking harms both men and women. Both authors show these relationships having to tackle painful, thought-provoking conflicts to reach that HEA. For me it was hard, but other readers might not have the same feelings.
Too Hard to Forget and The Lady of Royale Street both deserve good ratings for showing how complicated it is to be a person of faith in modern society. Were the writers of those original tweets wishing for these kinds of books? Do books about people of faith need to have that faith be the source of the conflict? I don’t have the answer to that, but I do know neither of these books were light, fluffy reads. Maybe the next time I hear someone talking shit about romance, I’ll tell them to read one of these books.
P.S.
In the time between the writing and scheduling of this review, I shared it with a friend who had a very Christian upbringing. She responded by saying, "I don’t think I could read romance novels with that sort of guilt/shame around sex in them. Too many triggers." I think that's what I was trying to get at when I talked about how the genre is sex-positive. I didn't use the word triggering, but maybe I should have.
For whatever reason, that comment led me to another line of thought. I tried to imagine what it would be like if the gender roles were flipped in these books. How would I have felt about a woman brining such intense feelings of shame about sex into a relationship? Would that book have been written? It's honestly impossible for me to imagine reading that book...because that doesn't sound like a romance, it sounds like a tragedy.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.
http://www.tbqsbookpalace.com/2017/08...
Last month during the #RomBookLove bonanza, one of Jennifer Porter’s topics asked for suggestions about something they’d like to see in romance. One of the most interesting answers was Tamsen Parker saying she wanted more “people of faith” in romance, and not just inspies. A follow-up tweet from Jennifer Porter sparked some further conversation about this idea. I thought, “Nah” and moved on. And then, lo and behold, two of my autobuy authors released books with very Catholic heroes. What we will do for our favorite writers!
A Brief Overview of the Books
The first book is The Lady of Royale Street by Thea De Salle. I loved The King of Bourbon Street and was excited to read this third book in the series, featuring Sol’s brother and Rain’s best friend. Alex and Theresa meet in the week leading up to Sol and Rain’s wedding. The plot of this one was a little contrived. The paparazzi is mobbing the wedding venues, and Alex and Theresa are sent out on a variety of errands to help prepare for the big day. Given how filthy rich those families are, I never for a second believed that the Best Man and Maid of Honor (My BFF and I prefer the term “Best Woman.” Feel free to adopt for your own usage, please.) would be hustling all over Louisiana completing such menial tasks. Alex and Theresa are attracted to each other and spend a lot of time trapped in a car that’s too small for them, and the sexual tension is thick. Their affair is sizzling, but Alex’s rigid Catholicism is an impediment to their happiness.
The other was Too Hard to Forget by Tessa Bailey. In this story, when Peggy Clarkson was a senior in college, she had a hot, heavy, and secret affair with the head football coach. It’s three years later, and Peggy blows back into town, determined to show Elliott that she’s moved on. I’ve previously established that I don’t like the “second chance at love” trope, but Tessa Bailey could write a closed-door, secret baby romance about a virgin and a billionaire tycoon in a small town and I’d fucking read it. (You may take a moment to giggle about the idea of Tessa Bailey writing a closed door romance, though.) Once again, the hero’s rigid religious beliefs cause difficulties for the couple.
The HEAs
I was raised Catholic, so I’m pretty familiar with the Church’s ideas about sex before marriage. But at the same time, it’s sort of...weird...because I think of romance as THE sex-positive genre, and reading about Alex and Elliott’s shame and regret made me both uncomfortable and angry. These are grown men well into their 30s, not teenagers fumbling around with sexual desire for the first time. For me, it’s pretty simple if you have pants feelings: act on them if the interest is mutual, have fun, use a condom, and wash up afterwards! Things are not that simple for Alex and Elliott. I know that even though fiction isn’t true, there is truth in fiction. Good books should show me the warring desires and internal struggles of characters, even if they’re things I wouldn’t feel conflicted about. And, regardless of my personal feelings, both books are a believable portrayal of characters trying to balance the demands of their Catholic faith with romantic relationships.
Of the two heroines, Peggy is far more damaged by Elliott’s guilt and self-disgust. Maybe it’s spoilery, but there is this completely devastating line late in the book where she confronts him and says, “You made me into a sin.” I gasped out loud when I read it, because it was that raw and painful. It’s not just that they have sinned, it’s that SHE is the sin. It ravaged me. It’s taken years for Peggy to understand that Elliott transferred the weight of all his shame to her and she’s still carrying it around. Only after this confrontation does Elliott understand and atone for his behavior. Which, you know, is a pretty neat narrative trick and kind of how the whole sinning thing is supposed to work out for Catholics: you sin, you confess, you do your penance, and then you’re forgiven.
In The Lady of Royale Street, the conflict plays out differently. Theresa is also Catholic, but she doesn’t have Alex’s hang-ups about sex. In fact, she’s royally (Royale-y?!) pissed at him when he tries to bring his guilty feelings to their bed. She’s just not there for it, pushing back on Alex’s shame and recrimination. I loved Thea De Salle for making Theresa a woman of faith who doesn’t have a zero sum belief system. I could not have taken another book where the heroine bears the brunt of the faith-based emotional damage. Alex talks to quite a few folks about his confused feelings---some help him, others don’t. Ultimately, Alex has to decide how to balance dogma with his desire to win Theresa’s love.
I can’t help but end on a personal note. I left the Catholic Church because I think it’s oppressively patriarchal. And because of my history and who I am, these books were hard for me to read. Elliott and Alex were compelled to follow the rules of their faith, even if it meant personal unhappiness. There were lots of times I didn’t like them very much, and it was impossible for me not to read these books as damning examples of how that patriarchal thinking harms both men and women. Both authors show these relationships having to tackle painful, thought-provoking conflicts to reach that HEA. For me it was hard, but other readers might not have the same feelings.
Too Hard to Forget and The Lady of Royale Street both deserve good ratings for showing how complicated it is to be a person of faith in modern society. Were the writers of those original tweets wishing for these kinds of books? Do books about people of faith need to have that faith be the source of the conflict? I don’t have the answer to that, but I do know neither of these books were light, fluffy reads. Maybe the next time I hear someone talking shit about romance, I’ll tell them to read one of these books.
P.S.
In the time between the writing and scheduling of this review, I shared it with a friend who had a very Christian upbringing. She responded by saying, "I don’t think I could read romance novels with that sort of guilt/shame around sex in them. Too many triggers." I think that's what I was trying to get at when I talked about how the genre is sex-positive. I didn't use the word triggering, but maybe I should have.
For whatever reason, that comment led me to another line of thought. I tried to imagine what it would be like if the gender roles were flipped in these books. How would I have felt about a woman brining such intense feelings of shame about sex into a relationship? Would that book have been written? It's honestly impossible for me to imagine reading that book...because that doesn't sound like a romance, it sounds like a tragedy.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.
January 13, 2018
Though this can be read as a standalone, I do advise you to read the books in order because the characters can be a lot to take in. They’re very fun but also incredibly wild. I probably would be feeling sentimental about the wedding between Sol and Rain if I read The King of Bourbon Street. Each character is so much different from the other and I can’t wait to pick up the books. If there’s going to be fourth, please do Nash’s. Theresa has a huge family, she has a gazillion siblings & what about Rain’s family. It’s insane.
Catholicism was a prevalent topic in the novel. It was refreshing seeing the struggles of Alex while he was struggling to find a balance with his religious beliefs.
Theresa, Rain’s best friend and maid of honour, is sassy and doesn’t deal with other people’s bullshit. Unlike Theresa, Alex, Sol’s brother, is regimented. He’s stiff and uptight but Theresa brings a different side of him out whenever he is in her presence. I really liked the both of them, their initial meeting wasn’t the most pleasant but they’re attracted to each other.
Everyone’s talking shit about everyone else in the book but I liked how they’re always the people they turn to. Like Alex is always talking shit about Darren but Darren is his best friend and ultimately, he’s the one Alex turned to when he’s in trouble.
Catholicism was a prevalent topic in the novel. It was refreshing seeing the struggles of Alex while he was struggling to find a balance with his religious beliefs.
Theresa, Rain’s best friend and maid of honour, is sassy and doesn’t deal with other people’s bullshit. Unlike Theresa, Alex, Sol’s brother, is regimented. He’s stiff and uptight but Theresa brings a different side of him out whenever he is in her presence. I really liked the both of them, their initial meeting wasn’t the most pleasant but they’re attracted to each other.
Everyone’s talking shit about everyone else in the book but I liked how they’re always the people they turn to. Like Alex is always talking shit about Darren but Darren is his best friend and ultimately, he’s the one Alex turned to when he’s in trouble.
March 25, 2018
It felt so good to go back to a world I was familiar with. From the lush descriptions to the amusing banter between the MCs and the background characters who I am in love with. Everything about these books is comforting. Especially the amount of drama and miscommunication and how real these people feel to me. I adore Alex and his conflicted feelings about religion and Theresa were so on point for me, as a religious person. Theresa as well provided such an excellent example of a person of faith who was comfortable in her own beliefs and I adore every inch of her.
December 3, 2020
Not My cup of tea, wasn't hooked on the romance or the characters but didn't find anything wrong with
August 22, 2017
I love this series so much and yes, it is all because of the heroines! de Salle writes some kick ass heroines! Here's a link to my full review...please say you're reading this series!
http://bit.ly/2g1OpSN
http://bit.ly/2g1OpSN
September 5, 2017
Originally posted at SmexyBooks-http://smexybooks.com/2017/09/review-...
C+
Favorite Quote: “I won’t judge you for your coffee choices.”
When Sol DuMont asks his brother Alex to be his best man at his wedding to socialite Adrianna (Rain) Barrington, Alex is at a loss as to why but reluctantly agrees. Alex and Sol are like oil and water; Alex is uptight, devout, serious, and regimented in his professional and personal life while Sol is…Sol. Alex figures he can keep from killing Sol for a week before heading back to Dallas and his life.
Theresa Ivarson is Rain’s best friend, maid of honor, practicing Catholic, and professional photojournalist. She flies into New Orleans with the intention of celebrating her bestie’s nuptials only to discover she and the best man are tasked with sorting out all the wedding details after the wedding planner sells them to a tabloid then is hit by a bus; leaving them in a lurch.
Alex and Theresa’s relationship starts out on a rocky note and only goes downhill from there, and being forced to work together doesn’t help matters. When Alex finds himself torn between his attraction to Theresa and his faith, he will have to make a decision before he loses everything.
Thea deSalle continues to delight and entertains their readers with their strong and unapologetic characters who grab onto life and all it has to offer with both hands. Lively and erotic, I enjoy the energy that flows through this series. That being said, the couple in here didn’t enchant me as much as the first two did. The story takes place in a week’s time, causing the romance to feel rushed and the characterization under developed to a certain point. deSalle only scratches the surface of this couple’s potential, giving us the bare bones and using sex and manufactured drama to push forward their agenda.
Alex DuMont is a dye in the wool Catholic whose intense faith and strict lifestyle helped him cope when his father passed away but is also used as an avoidance tactic. He broke up with his long time girlfriend and quit medical school after she let him know in no uncertain terms that his problems weren’t hers. The youngest of three boys, he is easily wound up and repeatedly puts his foot in his mouth with everyone he comes into contact with. I like that he is different from the other man we have met in here. deSalle does an excellent job of diversifying her characters in personality to ensure we aren’t inundated with the same person over and over.
If I click my heels three times, do I get to go home? No, I’m not that lucky
Theresa is also a devout Catholic though she has a better balance between her life and her faith than Alex does. Born into a large family, Theresa had a wonderful childhood and grew into a well-adjusted adult with a fulfilling career. Engaged to be married, she broke it off when she fiancee was cheating on her. His repeated apologies lost their meaning after evidence of all his affairs came to life one after another. Theresa, like all deSalle’s heroines, is strong, opinionated, and more than aware of her self-worth. She tries to understand Alex’s issues but refuses to allow him to lay his issues at her feet.
“I don’t want anyone watching out for my soul. I watch out for my soul, and that has to be okay. It’s nonnegotiable, Alex. You make decisions for you and your soul. I make decisions for mine.”
The sparks fly when Theresa and Alex meet. Similar in all the ways that matter, their chemistry is a combustible and heady mixture that explodes in all the best ways. No squishing this time around. I enjoyed the path deSalle takes in helping Alex find a comfortable balance between his spiritual and sexual love. Religion and sex are touchy subjects but often go hand in hand and it’s nice to see more authors embracing it in romance. This couple has no issues in the bedroom and deSalle has a gift for writing steamy intense scenes that reveal organically.
We fit so well together, she and I. We’re a matched pair….it’s been so long and she’s so perfect. My God, if this is wrong, I never want to be right.
Alex sees the potential for so much with her but screws up left and right as he attempts to wrangle his sexual attraction to her under control. Theresa has no idea of the intensity of Alex’s internal turmoil and thinks that she’s to blame for his hot and cold attitude. Both Theresa and Alex have been hurt by those they thought they loved, fracturing their trust. They used their faith to help them through the pain only Alex seems to take his religion more at face value. His anger and rigidness speaks of intense past trauma yet nothing in his background reveals that-his father’s death aside. His brother Nash, a very interesting figure, helps Alex see that God end game is our happiness. That bothered me a little. The impression given is Alex has been in a crisis of faith for years yet all it took was one conversation with his brother to help him sort it out?
“There’s only so much God’s going to do for you, my man. He helps those who help themselves.”
What helps to save this story for me is the inclusion of the secondary characters and storylines. Sol and Rain’s attempts to get their wedding back on track are hilarious, aided by cameos from Maddie, Darren, and various other familiar faces. I enjoyed meeting Nash DuMont, Rain’s brothers, and various friends. The humor flows freely and with the effervescence of expensive champagne as everyone pitches in to help get the engaged couple married and offers advice to Alex and Theresa as they struggle to move over the speed bumps Alex keep putting up.
“Are you alright? Do I have to kick him? I will, you know. Right in the dingdong. Hos before bros. Bro-in-laws. Whatever.”
The Lady of Royale Street certainly entertains though the main storyline and those involved was rushed. Especially at the end. While deSalle convinces me of the sexual attraction of Theresa and Alex, she never fully develops them for me and never convinces me of the romance or why they fell in love. I am looking forward to reading more in this series in the future. I hope Nash DeMont’s story is next.
C+
Favorite Quote: “I won’t judge you for your coffee choices.”
When Sol DuMont asks his brother Alex to be his best man at his wedding to socialite Adrianna (Rain) Barrington, Alex is at a loss as to why but reluctantly agrees. Alex and Sol are like oil and water; Alex is uptight, devout, serious, and regimented in his professional and personal life while Sol is…Sol. Alex figures he can keep from killing Sol for a week before heading back to Dallas and his life.
Theresa Ivarson is Rain’s best friend, maid of honor, practicing Catholic, and professional photojournalist. She flies into New Orleans with the intention of celebrating her bestie’s nuptials only to discover she and the best man are tasked with sorting out all the wedding details after the wedding planner sells them to a tabloid then is hit by a bus; leaving them in a lurch.
Alex and Theresa’s relationship starts out on a rocky note and only goes downhill from there, and being forced to work together doesn’t help matters. When Alex finds himself torn between his attraction to Theresa and his faith, he will have to make a decision before he loses everything.
Thea deSalle continues to delight and entertains their readers with their strong and unapologetic characters who grab onto life and all it has to offer with both hands. Lively and erotic, I enjoy the energy that flows through this series. That being said, the couple in here didn’t enchant me as much as the first two did. The story takes place in a week’s time, causing the romance to feel rushed and the characterization under developed to a certain point. deSalle only scratches the surface of this couple’s potential, giving us the bare bones and using sex and manufactured drama to push forward their agenda.
Alex DuMont is a dye in the wool Catholic whose intense faith and strict lifestyle helped him cope when his father passed away but is also used as an avoidance tactic. He broke up with his long time girlfriend and quit medical school after she let him know in no uncertain terms that his problems weren’t hers. The youngest of three boys, he is easily wound up and repeatedly puts his foot in his mouth with everyone he comes into contact with. I like that he is different from the other man we have met in here. deSalle does an excellent job of diversifying her characters in personality to ensure we aren’t inundated with the same person over and over.
If I click my heels three times, do I get to go home? No, I’m not that lucky
Theresa is also a devout Catholic though she has a better balance between her life and her faith than Alex does. Born into a large family, Theresa had a wonderful childhood and grew into a well-adjusted adult with a fulfilling career. Engaged to be married, she broke it off when she fiancee was cheating on her. His repeated apologies lost their meaning after evidence of all his affairs came to life one after another. Theresa, like all deSalle’s heroines, is strong, opinionated, and more than aware of her self-worth. She tries to understand Alex’s issues but refuses to allow him to lay his issues at her feet.
“I don’t want anyone watching out for my soul. I watch out for my soul, and that has to be okay. It’s nonnegotiable, Alex. You make decisions for you and your soul. I make decisions for mine.”
The sparks fly when Theresa and Alex meet. Similar in all the ways that matter, their chemistry is a combustible and heady mixture that explodes in all the best ways. No squishing this time around. I enjoyed the path deSalle takes in helping Alex find a comfortable balance between his spiritual and sexual love. Religion and sex are touchy subjects but often go hand in hand and it’s nice to see more authors embracing it in romance. This couple has no issues in the bedroom and deSalle has a gift for writing steamy intense scenes that reveal organically.
We fit so well together, she and I. We’re a matched pair….it’s been so long and she’s so perfect. My God, if this is wrong, I never want to be right.
Alex sees the potential for so much with her but screws up left and right as he attempts to wrangle his sexual attraction to her under control. Theresa has no idea of the intensity of Alex’s internal turmoil and thinks that she’s to blame for his hot and cold attitude. Both Theresa and Alex have been hurt by those they thought they loved, fracturing their trust. They used their faith to help them through the pain only Alex seems to take his religion more at face value. His anger and rigidness speaks of intense past trauma yet nothing in his background reveals that-his father’s death aside. His brother Nash, a very interesting figure, helps Alex see that God end game is our happiness. That bothered me a little. The impression given is Alex has been in a crisis of faith for years yet all it took was one conversation with his brother to help him sort it out?
“There’s only so much God’s going to do for you, my man. He helps those who help themselves.”
What helps to save this story for me is the inclusion of the secondary characters and storylines. Sol and Rain’s attempts to get their wedding back on track are hilarious, aided by cameos from Maddie, Darren, and various other familiar faces. I enjoyed meeting Nash DuMont, Rain’s brothers, and various friends. The humor flows freely and with the effervescence of expensive champagne as everyone pitches in to help get the engaged couple married and offers advice to Alex and Theresa as they struggle to move over the speed bumps Alex keep putting up.
“Are you alright? Do I have to kick him? I will, you know. Right in the dingdong. Hos before bros. Bro-in-laws. Whatever.”
The Lady of Royale Street certainly entertains though the main storyline and those involved was rushed. Especially at the end. While deSalle convinces me of the sexual attraction of Theresa and Alex, she never fully develops them for me and never convinces me of the romance or why they fell in love. I am looking forward to reading more in this series in the future. I hope Nash DeMont’s story is next.
August 16, 2017
The Lady of Royale Street (NOLA Nights) by Thea De Salle
NOLA Nights are mysterious, exotic and hard to resist. Ms. De Salle has imagined a world where the men are hot enough to chase away the chill and the women are smart enough to go in for the kill. The Lady of Royale Street sets the mood for some summer fun in the sun and some steamy summer nights.
NOLA Nights are mysterious, exotic and hard to resist. Ms. De Salle has imagined a world where the men are hot enough to chase away the chill and the women are smart enough to go in for the kill. The Lady of Royale Street sets the mood for some summer fun in the sun and some steamy summer nights.
August 9, 2019
That sex scene @76%, uhm, wowza. This is easily my favorite of the trilogy, which is a honestly huge surprise for me. I didn't think I'd care much for a romance set at a wedding or the conflict between desire and religious beliefs but here we are. My only wish is for Nash to have his own story (romantic or not), I loved that sweet nerd.
August 21, 2018
Since I already read the other two I said what the heck let's read another one. A bit more better but not by much.
December 31, 2019
I think this is my favorite book in the series. It was so sweet and the discussions about religion in a romance was so interesting
August 18, 2023
My least favorite of the series, but still a fun read
April 21, 2017
I've never teared up reading something so delightfully smutty. Can't wait til the next one!
August 1, 2017
The NOLA Nights series has been packed with sultry sexual encounters and lots of profound emotions. In the third release, part of the spotlight is on the imminent marriage of Sol and Arianna from the first story, but the main focus is on Alex DuMont and Theresa Ivarson, two individuals who would seem to have nothing in common except for their connection to the bride and groom. Being forced to work together to pull off the grand wedding lets the couple understand what the other is really like, and what they discover makes them want to know more. I laughed, then sighed, and then laughed some more. But I will also recall the extremely heartfelt emotions conveyed by Alex and Theresa because every sentiment was so genuine. Thea de Salle draws you into each developing situation with attention-grabbing details, and there is no way not to remain hooked until the final word is read. THE LADY OF ROYALE STREET has honest reactions, particularly likable characters, and very original happenings.
Although Alex DuMont loves his brother Sol, he was not thrilled to be chosen as his best man. His sibling is marrying a woman whose life is constantly followed by reporters, and when their disloyal wedding planner is killed in an accident, getting ready for the event has become doubly hectic. In order to help make certain everything goes without additional problems, the hotel manager of another family property has traveled from Dallas to New Orleans. Now Alex is going to do what he does best by bringing some control to a chaotic situation.
Upon arriving at the hotel where she will be staying, the expensive camera used by photojournalist Theresa Ivarson is broken by a man at the front desk. Learning she will have to work closely with this person because he is the groom’s best man does not set well, but she is determined to do her part as the maid of honor for her good friend, Arianna. As she and Alex try to salvage what they can of the original wedding plans, they realize their vastly different personalities might not be so incompatible after all.
Realism is never lacking in THE LADY OF ROYALE STREET. If a scene contains some lively sexual adventures, then every moment is conceivable. When only discussions are taking place and truthful words are spoken, I eagerly awaited the next response. While many of the activities portrayed in the story can be rather outrageous, I could see them happening because the behavior of several characters is unique. Alex likes order in his life and has followed the same routine for years. But being around Theresa has him concentrating more on them as a couple than sticking to his strict routine. Both are religious, and any aspects linked to their beliefs had me coming to know them even better. I never felt as though them discussing their faith took anything away from the story, as religion can be a very important part of a relationship, especially when two people are thinking of making it last more than a few days. As they explore the strong feelings between them, sex becomes steamier while conversations turn candidly sincere. I came to truly adore this couple.
Since a wedding is being celebrated, numerous engaging characters created by Thea de Salle make an appearance, and I thoroughly enjoyed many of their antics and witty words. I really hope more of the individuals in the series get their own books, as I am not ready to stop reading about them.
I voluntarily reviewed the book from the publisher via NetGalley, and all comments are my honest opinion - 4.5 Stars
Although Alex DuMont loves his brother Sol, he was not thrilled to be chosen as his best man. His sibling is marrying a woman whose life is constantly followed by reporters, and when their disloyal wedding planner is killed in an accident, getting ready for the event has become doubly hectic. In order to help make certain everything goes without additional problems, the hotel manager of another family property has traveled from Dallas to New Orleans. Now Alex is going to do what he does best by bringing some control to a chaotic situation.
Upon arriving at the hotel where she will be staying, the expensive camera used by photojournalist Theresa Ivarson is broken by a man at the front desk. Learning she will have to work closely with this person because he is the groom’s best man does not set well, but she is determined to do her part as the maid of honor for her good friend, Arianna. As she and Alex try to salvage what they can of the original wedding plans, they realize their vastly different personalities might not be so incompatible after all.
Realism is never lacking in THE LADY OF ROYALE STREET. If a scene contains some lively sexual adventures, then every moment is conceivable. When only discussions are taking place and truthful words are spoken, I eagerly awaited the next response. While many of the activities portrayed in the story can be rather outrageous, I could see them happening because the behavior of several characters is unique. Alex likes order in his life and has followed the same routine for years. But being around Theresa has him concentrating more on them as a couple than sticking to his strict routine. Both are religious, and any aspects linked to their beliefs had me coming to know them even better. I never felt as though them discussing their faith took anything away from the story, as religion can be a very important part of a relationship, especially when two people are thinking of making it last more than a few days. As they explore the strong feelings between them, sex becomes steamier while conversations turn candidly sincere. I came to truly adore this couple.
Since a wedding is being celebrated, numerous engaging characters created by Thea de Salle make an appearance, and I thoroughly enjoyed many of their antics and witty words. I really hope more of the individuals in the series get their own books, as I am not ready to stop reading about them.
I voluntarily reviewed the book from the publisher via NetGalley, and all comments are my honest opinion - 4.5 Stars
September 7, 2017
The Lady of Royale Street is hot! It's got a slightly religious tone, as both the MCs have varying degrees of faith. They just have differences in how they balance their faith with the rest of their lives.
Alex has been asked by his brother Sol to be his best man in his upcoming wedding. His soon-to-be sister-in-law's maid of honor is her best friend, Theresa. When Alex and Theresa meet under less than friendly circumstances, it sets the tone for the beginning of their relationship. Alex mistakes her for a paparazzi, and accidentally breaks her expensive camera, the camera she was going to use to take the professional wedding photos. Oops! Alex is completely unprepared for his fierce attraction to this contrary, sassy woman, and it has him completely flummoxed. He bumbles around, very inelegantly, like a bull in a china shop, and makes a giant nuisance of himself. Theresa is at turns amused and annoyed by the man, even as she's fiercely attracted to him, too. She, however, handles the attraction with much more finesse than does poor Alex.
As the two run around New Orleans, helping the bride and groom get their doomed wedding ready, they fall into a sexy relationship. But, the question of faith is a constant, and Alex is questioning how he can have a sexual relationship while at the same time remain a devoutly religious man. Theresa doesn't have the same problem, she balances her faith so much better than Alex, so when Alex starts questioning their relationship, it puts her off, a lot. She leaves it up to him, rather than to coddle or direct him, to figure out just how he is going to handle his new sexual awakening and his new relationship.
At first, I found myself not liking Theresa, as she can be really abrasive, but I soon started appreciating her independence and confidence and the balance she maintains within her life. As for Alex, poor Alex, I absolutely adored the big, bumbling man. Yes, he puts his foot in his mouth more than once, behaves like an ass more than once, but his intentions are not malicious, rather born of lack of social and relationship skills, as his last serious relationship was YEARS ago, and he has a lot of demons that he hasn't rid himself of. Once they figure out where they're going, and that they're going there together, I was really happy, as I'd been rooting for this seemingly mismatched couple almost from the beginning.
If you like your romances with steamy, sexy scenes, comic mishaps, a big, bumbling hero and a confident, sassy heroine, The Lady of Royale Street should be right up your alley. Thank you Thea for this wonderful story!
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
Alex has been asked by his brother Sol to be his best man in his upcoming wedding. His soon-to-be sister-in-law's maid of honor is her best friend, Theresa. When Alex and Theresa meet under less than friendly circumstances, it sets the tone for the beginning of their relationship. Alex mistakes her for a paparazzi, and accidentally breaks her expensive camera, the camera she was going to use to take the professional wedding photos. Oops! Alex is completely unprepared for his fierce attraction to this contrary, sassy woman, and it has him completely flummoxed. He bumbles around, very inelegantly, like a bull in a china shop, and makes a giant nuisance of himself. Theresa is at turns amused and annoyed by the man, even as she's fiercely attracted to him, too. She, however, handles the attraction with much more finesse than does poor Alex.
As the two run around New Orleans, helping the bride and groom get their doomed wedding ready, they fall into a sexy relationship. But, the question of faith is a constant, and Alex is questioning how he can have a sexual relationship while at the same time remain a devoutly religious man. Theresa doesn't have the same problem, she balances her faith so much better than Alex, so when Alex starts questioning their relationship, it puts her off, a lot. She leaves it up to him, rather than to coddle or direct him, to figure out just how he is going to handle his new sexual awakening and his new relationship.
At first, I found myself not liking Theresa, as she can be really abrasive, but I soon started appreciating her independence and confidence and the balance she maintains within her life. As for Alex, poor Alex, I absolutely adored the big, bumbling man. Yes, he puts his foot in his mouth more than once, behaves like an ass more than once, but his intentions are not malicious, rather born of lack of social and relationship skills, as his last serious relationship was YEARS ago, and he has a lot of demons that he hasn't rid himself of. Once they figure out where they're going, and that they're going there together, I was really happy, as I'd been rooting for this seemingly mismatched couple almost from the beginning.
If you like your romances with steamy, sexy scenes, comic mishaps, a big, bumbling hero and a confident, sassy heroine, The Lady of Royale Street should be right up your alley. Thank you Thea for this wonderful story!
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
August 5, 2017
Thea de Salle turns up the heat, but not the kink in her latest NOLA Nights book. Although the sex scenes in this book are more vanilla than the prior books, they are no less steamy and graphic. Ms. de Salle holds little back in this book.
Alex DuMont is everything his brother isn’t. He is staid, serious and pious. His Catholicism is very important to Alex and he makes sure to attend confession and mass every week. This piety is a little extreme for his fun loving brother. Although Sol and Alex don’t have the same views, they are brothers so when Sol’s wedding goes haywire, Alex comes in early to help.
Theresa Ivarson is Arianna Barrington’s best friend. She is also a photojournalist so when she shows up for her best friend’s wedding and is immediately tackled in the lobby for taking photos, Theresa has the right to be a little upset. Realizing that the man who tackled her is the best man and the one she needs to work with to get this wedding back on track is a little disconcerting. Finding herself intrigued and attracted to him despite her misgivings and his missteps makes the story even more interesting.
I really liked reading the interplay between Alex and Theresa. We know from the beginning that things are hot between them. They have an immediate attraction, but they both also have a tremendous amount of baggage. Alex is dealing with the confines of his religious beliefs and the lack of any relationship in years. Theresa is dealing with a cheating ex-fiancé who broke her heart and trust.
As these two spend more time together, they find things they have in common. Communication may not be the easiest especially for Alex which results in a lot of “foot in mouth” incidents. Although these instances are at times funny to the reader, they only highlight the difficulty Alex is having with the situation.
Ms. de Salle made an interesting choice with the role of Catholicism in this book. We not only see Alex struggle with it, but it comes up in a number of conversations throughout the book. Ms. de Salle offers a variety of perspectives on religion and how firmly one must apply ones’ religious beliefs to everyday life. Having these moments makes this book more thought-provoking than the other books in the series and gives real depth to the relationship between Alex and Theresa.
Alex DuMont is everything his brother isn’t. He is staid, serious and pious. His Catholicism is very important to Alex and he makes sure to attend confession and mass every week. This piety is a little extreme for his fun loving brother. Although Sol and Alex don’t have the same views, they are brothers so when Sol’s wedding goes haywire, Alex comes in early to help.
Theresa Ivarson is Arianna Barrington’s best friend. She is also a photojournalist so when she shows up for her best friend’s wedding and is immediately tackled in the lobby for taking photos, Theresa has the right to be a little upset. Realizing that the man who tackled her is the best man and the one she needs to work with to get this wedding back on track is a little disconcerting. Finding herself intrigued and attracted to him despite her misgivings and his missteps makes the story even more interesting.
I really liked reading the interplay between Alex and Theresa. We know from the beginning that things are hot between them. They have an immediate attraction, but they both also have a tremendous amount of baggage. Alex is dealing with the confines of his religious beliefs and the lack of any relationship in years. Theresa is dealing with a cheating ex-fiancé who broke her heart and trust.
As these two spend more time together, they find things they have in common. Communication may not be the easiest especially for Alex which results in a lot of “foot in mouth” incidents. Although these instances are at times funny to the reader, they only highlight the difficulty Alex is having with the situation.
Ms. de Salle made an interesting choice with the role of Catholicism in this book. We not only see Alex struggle with it, but it comes up in a number of conversations throughout the book. Ms. de Salle offers a variety of perspectives on religion and how firmly one must apply ones’ religious beliefs to everyday life. Having these moments makes this book more thought-provoking than the other books in the series and gives real depth to the relationship between Alex and Theresa.
August 20, 2017
3.5 Stars
http://rpmbt-blog.com/rpmbt/review-th...
Thea de Salle has done it again and written another amazing story in the NOLA Nights Series! The Lady of Royale Street brings all of my favorite characters from the previous books together and gives us Alex (Sol’s brother) story!
Alex is the complete opposite of Sol and when he comes to New Orleans early to help with Sol and Laine’s wedding and meets Theresa the maid of honor, sparks fly, but he keeps putting his foot in his mouth and ending up in bad situations with her. Being a faithful Catholic he’s torn between his faith and his want for Theresa, and it makes for some awkward moments with these two. Theresa is a spitfire and also shares the same beliefs as Alex, so on paper, these two are a match made in heaven.
Thrown together to help save the wedding, these two have a rocky start, and each time things start to get better between them, it just gets worse. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but Alex is a hard shell to crack and Theresa is getting sick and tired of him pulling away every time they get close. I loved the Alex that he was when he would open up, but I hated the Alex that would pull away as soon as he would start to get comfortable with Theresa.
This story was completely different than Sol and Rain’s and Maddie and Darren’s as it didn’t focus on the sex and the craziness, but more so with faith and the feelings these two struggled with. As much as I adored the previous books, I felt this book was more angsty than the previous books as I wanted to strangle Alex so many times during this book, but his growth from the beginning to the end was remarkable. I enjoyed watching his and Theresa’s relationship grow throughout the book and I loved watching Rain and Sol finally tie the knot and catching up with Maddie and Darren, but I really was disappointed in how quickly this book ended and how rushed the ending was for Alex and Theresa. I hope we get more in the NOLA Nights Series so we can see more of Alex and Theresa in the future!
I have received this book as a member of the XOXperts, XOXO After Dark’s official street team, in exchange for an honest review.
http://rpmbt-blog.com/rpmbt/review-th...
Thea de Salle has done it again and written another amazing story in the NOLA Nights Series! The Lady of Royale Street brings all of my favorite characters from the previous books together and gives us Alex (Sol’s brother) story!
Alex is the complete opposite of Sol and when he comes to New Orleans early to help with Sol and Laine’s wedding and meets Theresa the maid of honor, sparks fly, but he keeps putting his foot in his mouth and ending up in bad situations with her. Being a faithful Catholic he’s torn between his faith and his want for Theresa, and it makes for some awkward moments with these two. Theresa is a spitfire and also shares the same beliefs as Alex, so on paper, these two are a match made in heaven.
Thrown together to help save the wedding, these two have a rocky start, and each time things start to get better between them, it just gets worse. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but Alex is a hard shell to crack and Theresa is getting sick and tired of him pulling away every time they get close. I loved the Alex that he was when he would open up, but I hated the Alex that would pull away as soon as he would start to get comfortable with Theresa.
This story was completely different than Sol and Rain’s and Maddie and Darren’s as it didn’t focus on the sex and the craziness, but more so with faith and the feelings these two struggled with. As much as I adored the previous books, I felt this book was more angsty than the previous books as I wanted to strangle Alex so many times during this book, but his growth from the beginning to the end was remarkable. I enjoyed watching his and Theresa’s relationship grow throughout the book and I loved watching Rain and Sol finally tie the knot and catching up with Maddie and Darren, but I really was disappointed in how quickly this book ended and how rushed the ending was for Alex and Theresa. I hope we get more in the NOLA Nights Series so we can see more of Alex and Theresa in the future!
I have received this book as a member of the XOXperts, XOXO After Dark’s official street team, in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2017
I spent a lot of time debating with myself how I was going to review The Lady of Royale Street when I was approved for an ARC. I loved the first two installments in the NOLA Nights series like, almost way too much? And I wanted to review the third in the series in a different way than I would usually. I decided to just stick to an edited version of my original book notes, which I normally draft up before I write a review. (This is not at all because it was hard for me to put my feelings into well-thought out, cohesive sentences. No way.)
What can’t I say about Thea de Salle. This book is: Hot & Heavy and full of complex and real characters.
The R scenes are good but the rest of the book is a great read- this isn’t the kind of book where you only "skim for the naughty bits." Honestly, read the whole NOLA Nights series if you love yourself.
Alex DuMont and Theresa Ivarson- the main characters this time around- are a great couple even though I personally found their conflict less compelling because it was centered around religion. I love that this time around you get to see even more of the Barrington and DuMont families as well. (Nash and Vaughn are my favorites and I will die for them, Please tell me one of them is next in the series.)
Speaking of favorites: Rain and Sol. Still babes. Still sickeningly in love with each other. Still kinky.
Darren and Maddy. Still babes. Still here to ride and die for their family. Still coasting with a tiger like it’s No Big Deal. Still in love. Still kinky.
Honestly, the only thing I edited was changing my "abt"s to "about" and erasing all the (hand clap emoji)-ing. In all seriousness though, The Lady of Royale Street and it's predecessors, The King of Bourbon Street and The Queen of Dauphine Street, are amazing contemporary adult novels, filled with sex positivity and body positivity and strong, working relationships and reality and if you love adult romances you're going to love them.
What can’t I say about Thea de Salle. This book is: Hot & Heavy and full of complex and real characters.
The R scenes are good but the rest of the book is a great read- this isn’t the kind of book where you only "skim for the naughty bits." Honestly, read the whole NOLA Nights series if you love yourself.
Alex DuMont and Theresa Ivarson- the main characters this time around- are a great couple even though I personally found their conflict less compelling because it was centered around religion. I love that this time around you get to see even more of the Barrington and DuMont families as well. (Nash and Vaughn are my favorites and I will die for them, Please tell me one of them is next in the series.)
Speaking of favorites: Rain and Sol. Still babes. Still sickeningly in love with each other. Still kinky.
Darren and Maddy. Still babes. Still here to ride and die for their family. Still coasting with a tiger like it’s No Big Deal. Still in love. Still kinky.
Honestly, the only thing I edited was changing my "abt"s to "about" and erasing all the (hand clap emoji)-ing. In all seriousness though, The Lady of Royale Street and it's predecessors, The King of Bourbon Street and The Queen of Dauphine Street, are amazing contemporary adult novels, filled with sex positivity and body positivity and strong, working relationships and reality and if you love adult romances you're going to love them.
August 22, 2017
When you discover the first two books in a fabulous new series have been sitting right under your nose and you have let them languish, unread. *Hangs head in shame* But after reading these books, you might be more than happy and willing to allow the characters in said books mete out a punishment for this oversight……
Thea De Salle’s NOLA Nights series is pure goodness on every single level. These books are Sexy, funny, whip-smart, romantic and did I mention Sexy? You don’t just get lost in these stories, nope. Nope. Nope. You are seduced by the characters, plot and in every bit of her glory -- New Orleans, herself. Just a fair warning -- You will devour these books like beignets and never get your fill.
The Lady of Royale Street could possibly be read as a standalone, though in my opinion you need to read The King of Bourbon Street and The Queen of Dauphine Street also to fully appreciate Alex and Theresa’s story.
Alex DuMont and Theresa Ivarson and are the voices of reason and the very definition of devotion. I loved their prickly personalities, especially when they aimed them at each other. But make no mistake, these two are a match in the literal and figurative senses of the word and when they strike, it is white hot (AF).
So yeah, I am just a little late to the NOLA Nights party, but by steeping myself (i.e., binge-reading) in it, it feels as though these three books are just an appetizer – there is some serious bench strength here in the supporting cast, each begging for their stories to be read. If that’s the case…. Sign. Me. Up. Enjoy!!
Happy reading!!
Laurie’s Rating: 5++++++++++++++ STARS
Thea De Salle’s NOLA Nights series is pure goodness on every single level. These books are Sexy, funny, whip-smart, romantic and did I mention Sexy? You don’t just get lost in these stories, nope. Nope. Nope. You are seduced by the characters, plot and in every bit of her glory -- New Orleans, herself. Just a fair warning -- You will devour these books like beignets and never get your fill.
The Lady of Royale Street could possibly be read as a standalone, though in my opinion you need to read The King of Bourbon Street and The Queen of Dauphine Street also to fully appreciate Alex and Theresa’s story.
Alex DuMont and Theresa Ivarson and are the voices of reason and the very definition of devotion. I loved their prickly personalities, especially when they aimed them at each other. But make no mistake, these two are a match in the literal and figurative senses of the word and when they strike, it is white hot (AF).
So yeah, I am just a little late to the NOLA Nights party, but by steeping myself (i.e., binge-reading) in it, it feels as though these three books are just an appetizer – there is some serious bench strength here in the supporting cast, each begging for their stories to be read. If that’s the case…. Sign. Me. Up. Enjoy!!
Happy reading!!
Laurie’s Rating: 5++++++++++++++ STARS
July 31, 2017
Alex's book! Who doesn't love a seriously uptight hero? Alex and Theresa were a fantastic match but to be honest, I found theirs to be not quite as sexy or funny as the first two books (The King of Bourbon Street and The Queen of Dauphine Street. Theirs was a more internal journey with Alex trying to figure out what he really wants; I loved that a really bad dad joke from Alex's best friend Darren saved the day.
Speaking of which, I loved reuniting with all the characters: Sol, Rain, Maddy, Darren, Cylan, Dora, Capulet the tiger; not to mention meeting new ones. Can Nash, Cylan and Vaughn please get their own books? Uptight, serious, somber Alex was my favorite DuMont until Nash strolled into the Seaside.
The NOLA Nights series is one of my favorite discoveries this year. Funny filth or filthily funny, they take me to one of my favorite places on Earth and the books do New Orleans justice. My only quibble with this installment is that I wanted more answers about Alex and Theresa's devoutness and how they made things work. The ending was abrupt and left me wanting more from the crazy DuMont hotel world.
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Speaking of which, I loved reuniting with all the characters: Sol, Rain, Maddy, Darren, Cylan, Dora, Capulet the tiger; not to mention meeting new ones. Can Nash, Cylan and Vaughn please get their own books? Uptight, serious, somber Alex was my favorite DuMont until Nash strolled into the Seaside.
The NOLA Nights series is one of my favorite discoveries this year. Funny filth or filthily funny, they take me to one of my favorite places on Earth and the books do New Orleans justice. My only quibble with this installment is that I wanted more answers about Alex and Theresa's devoutness and how they made things work. The ending was abrupt and left me wanting more from the crazy DuMont hotel world.
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
August 12, 2017
***ARC provided by the author for an honest review***
Another amazing addition to the NOLA Nights series comes The Lady of Royale Street by Thea De Salle. This quick read with witty-banter will have you smiling and swooning throughout this steamy addition.
Mistaking the maid of honor for his brother’s wedding for a ruthless paparazzi photographer, has left Alex DuMont in a bit of a predicament when it comes to Theresa Ivarson. She is full of spitfire and sass with her red hair and lavish/ tapered curves calling out to him. Both are back in NOLA to help save Sol and Rain’s disaster of a wedding from their previous planner who sold them out for millions. How can Alex get back in her good graces?
Both agree to disagree in everything, but the for the sake of the impending wedding can they come together for the benefit of family? Will their attraction and lust get caught up in the middle?!
You are hit with angst and action right off the bat making this novel entertaining from page one. Wonderful series, with well-developed and enlightening characters that you do get to revisit in this story, and even though this addition didn’t hold a lot of kink like the two previous, it still packs a punch with heart and soul.
Come and enjoy the craziness of the DuMont & Barrington world again with Alex and Theresa!
4 Stars
Another amazing addition to the NOLA Nights series comes The Lady of Royale Street by Thea De Salle. This quick read with witty-banter will have you smiling and swooning throughout this steamy addition.
Mistaking the maid of honor for his brother’s wedding for a ruthless paparazzi photographer, has left Alex DuMont in a bit of a predicament when it comes to Theresa Ivarson. She is full of spitfire and sass with her red hair and lavish/ tapered curves calling out to him. Both are back in NOLA to help save Sol and Rain’s disaster of a wedding from their previous planner who sold them out for millions. How can Alex get back in her good graces?
Both agree to disagree in everything, but the for the sake of the impending wedding can they come together for the benefit of family? Will their attraction and lust get caught up in the middle?!
You are hit with angst and action right off the bat making this novel entertaining from page one. Wonderful series, with well-developed and enlightening characters that you do get to revisit in this story, and even though this addition didn’t hold a lot of kink like the two previous, it still packs a punch with heart and soul.
Come and enjoy the craziness of the DuMont & Barrington world again with Alex and Theresa!
4 Stars
March 16, 2022
I think of all the books in the trilogy, I enjoyed book 2 the most. This one kind of rubbed me the wrong way (pun not intended). This follows Sol's brother, Alex, and Rain's best friend, Theresa - for some reason, Alex is super pious and that gets in the way of him pursuing a relationship with Theresa after he's already done the most. He's really aggressive and kind of douchey at moments. Theresa is a pretty solid character and I do like her. But the moments with her outside of Alex are usually with Rain and Rain....I just see her as speaking in a baby voice. It also should be mentioned as if it wasn't a million times, Rain is fat. Literally, every time she is mentioned, her body is described, which I find weird for a side character and also starts coming off as literally her only quality. That sums up everything about Rain. I've read plenty of books with plus size women that don't feel the need to mention it constantly outside of context that makes sense. I once again was a little repulsed by the sex scenes. Squelching is not a word I want to see in sex scenes ever again. Thanks. :/
October 21, 2017
I admit this book surprised me as if you read the title you think it is a stuffy book but it’s so far from that. Alex and Theresa have been summoned early by Sol and Rain the couple they are the best man and maid of honor for. Something has happened to the wedding planner and because the media got a hold of the plans there are photographers everywhere so when Alex sees Theresa he thinks she is one of them and ruins her camera. Theresa has a fiery temper and she is trying to calm herself as the soon to be bride and groom explain they need them to team up and save the wedding. Alex and Theresa are very attracted to each other but Alex keeps putting his foot in his mouth and Theresa keeps comparing him to her ex. The sexual tension and Alex’s slip ups mixed with the mess that is the wedding and you have a great funny story.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
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